VSN was established to celebrate Swing music and dance. Some may call it Vintage Jazz.  Some, Trad Jazz.  These things all describe Swing.  Swing music is our favorite.  DJ's at VSN play original tunes from the Jazz and Big Band eras.  We also play music from modern musicians perform their original tunes, in the way Swing music was played.

​

VSN has included some NEO swing and Electoswing in for variation, but Swing music has a unique structure and sound.  Playlists will mostly contain original tunes and modern Swing musicians/bands with a variety of sounds so that every night is unique. 

​

We'd love to talk about music.  Stop by the DJ booth and ask what song that was and who the band was.  We love encouraging dancers to start their own collection.  

​

Request songs for next time. Do you have a favorite Swing tune?  What about a particular band?  Introduce yourself and make a suggestion.  If you have a copy of the tune with you, we can preview it and see when we can get it played.  VSN is an advocate for awesome Swing music.

​

Guess the musical theme.  Sometimes there will be a group of songs that have a theme.  Sometimes the entire night will have a theme.  While your enjoying the music either on the dance floor or sitting with friends, think about the music. Can you make out a pattern? Can guess a theme?

Posted in a saloon, but still applies here.  No spittin, No brawlin', No bitin'. No swearin'. VSN also adds "No smoking of any kind.  No Alcohol."

 

Swing dancing is awesome.  It's a aerobic physical activity, it's also a mental teaser.  Vintage Swing Night is here to educate new dancers with swing dance lessons, with the intent to build a community of Vintage Swing dancers that are passionate, well-informed advocates.

​

Dancing is a skill that needs to be honed and so get out there!  The best practice happens on the dance floor, Failures are inevitable.  Give each other a high 5 for trying and try it again later.  Don't forget our rule of 3.  

​

While dancing use your best floor craft: turn on your blinkers, use your mirrors, and always be prepared to use the breaks!!  Accidents happen.  Do the right thing, when you collide, kick someone, or wack someone. apologize! 

 

Asking someone to dance can be scary, but the payoff is 3 more minutes of dancing!  Never worry about saying "no" to someone.  Don't freak out about being told "no."  Just remember to be pleasant when delivering the "no" and be gracious when receiving it.  It's just a dance.

​

VSN holds you to high standards.  You can be expelled or banned.  Think of others first.  

Swing dancing is social dancing.  At VSN, swing dancers are encouraged to change partners.  It makes you a better social dancer, and it encourages friendships.  Dancing with new folks makes them feel welcome.  Don't forget to introduce yourself!  By asking a new person to dance and asking dancers at every level, the entire room benefits.  It is amazing what an impact one person can have.  

 

Swing is for everyone. In it's heyday, it reached across the globe.  It was imported, snuck in, and even swung right in the front door.  It is more so now than ever.  We encourage every type of person to experience the joy of Swing music!  We have chairs for listeners and a dance floor for cutting rugs.  VSN is open to everyone who wants to try swing dancing.

​

Attending VSN events, dancers should commit to making that experience as positive and safe as possible for everyone.  That means dancers take personal responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others.   If you need help, approach staff right away!  If you don't tell anyone we can't help you.  If no one says anything, no one knows there's a problem.  

​

While in the throws of dancing, smiles, laughing, & singing could erupt.  This partner dance is about coming together, and expressing yourself in a lead-follow format. Each person can be creative and adds to the experience of the other.

 

But, no one is required to dance.  It's OK to say "no."  "No" to a dance.  "No" to a move.  A polite "no" is required.  The impression you leave on someone else is your responsibility.  "No," is not a personal attack, it's an opportunity to dance with someone else, or better yet, chat up friends or the DJ to learn about music and dancing.  

 

If you take a person off their center of gravity without their consent, VSN considers this a violation.   We prohibit lifts on a social dance floor.  We recognize dips are fun and exciting, but could also lead to concussion.  We suggest taking our dips and tricks classes that showcase cool moves and safety,    

The ideal night is booked end to end with fun dances.  As swing can be an energetic dance, be prepared to sweat.  Show up with fresh breath, clean body, and little something to stop the stink.  Just so you know not every time sharing is caring. 

 

You may also need extras: sweat towel, T-shirts, mints.  Wearing the right clothes is also helpful.  No one wants to touch sweaty, slimy skin.  Cover up all those contact points.  And secure and cover all your personal parts.  No peep shows please!

​

To vintage or not to vintage?  That's up to you.  Jeans and t shirts are just fine.  However, we will have fun things happening where there will be suggested clothing.  This will include vintage prom, where vintage garb is the look de jour.  VSN is supportive of those who love to wear vintage.  To foster the love of vintage, VSN shares about clothing resources, both locally and online.  

​

Shoes:  This topic is a hot one.  Heels with dress... adorbs. Heels on boots... sharp.  Heels on shins, no so much.  During classtime, wear flats or keds, something low to the ground that you could run in.  Pick shoes that won't go flying off if you kick your foot and won't hurt your feet or someone's shin while dancing.  Ask yourself this. "Would I want to be stepped on by these?"

During a social dance, the dance floor is your laboratory.  Take up a slice and work on your slick moves.  Feel free to grab a partner and social dance.  Create new material while on the floor, you can even ask for feedback.  But NEVER, EVER, EVER give unsolicited instruction on the dance floor.  

 

Creating an educated community means providing Spokane with lessons, workshops, and dances to enrich dancers.  Vintage Swing Night dancers are encouraged to share information and practice with each other, have fun and dance!  Often times you will find a section of the dance floor (the study hall)  where people work on moves and lessons.  Support those dancers learning.  Keep the space clear, Or, add yourself to the effort.  Learning and sharing is awesome.  Most importantly, keep classtime holy.  Whether you believe in god or not.  Don't be disruptive, or teach over the teacher teaching.  Class time is to learn what the teacher is teaching. 

​

And speaking of NEVER EVER... Once the lesson is over, so is the teacher's requirement to teach.  Social dancing is for... well, dancing! Don't ask a teacher to teach you something at a social dance just because they are a teacher, even if you were late or missed the lesson.  Ask for a private lesson instead.  They're off duty.  During the dance, it is fair to ask a question about the day's lesson, approach the teacher for advice, but not to reteach the lesson.